Two weeks ago, the asters and Mexican marigolds were still in bloom. Mother Nature can so easily lull Northern California gardeners into false hope of early spring. The narcissus have flowered, the tulips, hyacinths and iris are rapidly making their way. But grey skies and a cold north wind blew in today, with the promise of a hard freeze Monday night.
I was there early for puppy duty. German Shepherd, Annie and her newborns are just visiting. Found stray and very pregnant, she was sent to the shelter. Shelters don’t generally do newborn puppies. Our local GSD rescue pulled her, but reliant on fosters, they had never whelped puppies before. We offered to see her through the birth and their first few weeks before they move to their foster home. Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, our volunteers sat vigil. She birthed six beautiful babies and took to mothering immediately.
Puppy duty at this young age is not hard. It is more about being available to mom for frequent feedings, some cleaning, potty trips and breaks – leaving plenty of time to prepare the garden for the cold ahead.
New shoots and tender perennials are now blanketed in straw.
The sparrows believe it is theirs to nest in.
We began our rescue year with the walking wounded. Broken and fractured pelvises, traumatic nerve damage, one fractured vertebrae; one fractured femur, and a torn ACL. Cars and dogs don’t mix.
My current foster could be counted among them – but his issues are hereditary not inflicted.
At just a few months of age, he was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. Skye traveled a very long way for our help. He has interest from lots of potential adopters who want to bring him home once fixed – but so far, no one who meets our criteria has stepped up to see him through two FHO surgeries and months of recovery.
So, Skye is hanging out with us. He will have his first surgery on February 10 and his days of torturing his big foster brother Yogi will be over. Despite the abuse, I know where I will find Yogi when we bring Skye home hurting and sad: sleeping right by his side.
Note to potential adopters: four months is a long time not to fall in love with a dog. We are not looking for dog number three – but just saying!
Bundle up your tender fruit trees and plants, my Northern California gardener friends. And to those of you back east – you can stop laughing at us. Revenge is ours. Just wait for February!
Gardens For Goldens 
God bless you, Audrey! I think you are the closest thing to a saint that I know. And don’t forget, three’s a charm❤️🐾❤️
Saint? Hardly! Not sure Yogi believes the theory of three’s a charm, but for now, Skye is right where he should be.
I won’t be surprised at all if Skye has found his forever home. Four months of nursing a dog can make it really hard to let them go.
I’m not sure how I discovered your site, but this morning when you’re update showed up.. it brightened up a very dreary morning 😊 I’m in Maryland and it’s only 33F right now.😕
My 2 favorite things are goldens (Sam) and gardens, so your site is perfect! Thank you for being such a good steward for both💗
Nice to meet you, Tina!
Nicely said Audrey! And just for the record…….I hope you join the FF (foster failure) club! Just sayin….😘🐶💙. He is such a sweetie!
A sweetie…absolutely! But you’ll have to convince the other boys in this household – human included!
Nicely said Audrey! Just for the record I hope you join the FF (foster failure) Club! 😘🐶💙 He is such a sweetie!
You know they say three’s a charm!! 🐾 And thanks for the reminder on the frost tonight.
Keep those plants covered…brrrr!
You are an angel, Audrey. Should Skye find his forever home with you, he would truly be Blessed. Such a long an painful road should be rewarded with the best home ever. And may Annie and babies find good homes through the GSD. Good to hear from you. Sending Golden hugs, Corie and Poe.
thank you for the taste of Spring and hope… love these posts…
Good to see you back on the air waves with your handsome pups of all ages and your beautiful gardens.
I will make a diligent effort to be better this year!
You’ve had some major challenges and loss. One has to adjust to all of that, and sometimes that means just appreciating life and less screen time.
Does Skye and family have a blog to follow? So love your photographs of pups, wildlife and garden!
Thank you Audrey. You are awesome!
❤